Leopard population increases in Palamu Tiger Reserve

Daltonganj: The closure of the state’s lone tiger abode — Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) — since March this year has come as a saviour for leopards, which are now roaming freely in the park in the absence of tourists. Wildlife experts said the increase in the population of the spotted cat and their sightings is an indication that all is not lost for the reserve, which is believed to have four tigers currently.
PTR deputy director (south division) Mukesh Kumar said, “Leopards are seen more in the tiger reserve nowadays. Their frequency has gone up. Our field staff are scanning their images from the trap cameras.” About the kills made by leopards, Kumar said, “On an average, it is one in two weeks. Their kill is mostly cattle. Quite rarely is a goat killed. Leopards choose big prey.”
Kumar said the leopards were captured in the cameras recently in Naina Sirsi areas of Mahuadarn where Jharkhand’s lone wolf sanctuary is also located. He, however, said that there has been no physical sightings by any of their tiger trackers, forest guards, foresters and rangers. “So far, no physical sighting of the animal has been made in the south division but I am told someone in the north division saw a leopard in Betla.”
People living in the area said so far, there is no report of the leopards causing any harm to villagers who strayed into the jungles to collect firewood, seeds and herbs.